Using cards at merchants
Paying with cards instead of cash is very convenient, but always be vigilant. Here are some tips to protect you from fraud when you use your debit, prepaid, or credit card to shop:
- Sign the back of your cards.
- Watch over your card when you hand it to the cashier.
- For Visa payWave transactions, you don't have to give your card to the cashier, sign a receipt or enter a PIN. Just tap your card to the Visa payWave reader and go.
- Check the amount on the POS terminal screen to make sure that your account will be debited for the correct amount (for debit/prepaid cards), or the charge slip before signing it (for credit cards).
- When asked by the terminal, be the one to key-in your PIN and cover your hand when you do so.
- Get your card and the validated transaction slip and again check if the purchase and debited amounts match.
- Verify transactions by reviewing your transaction history online (if you’re enrolled in online banking) or your account statement (if you receive statements by mail or email).
Online shopping
Enjoy the convenience of shopping online but do remain on guard. Consider these safe online shopping practices to lower the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud:
- Make sure that your computer/mobile device and internet connection are secure
- Don’t shop online using public computers or using an unsecured public Wi-Fi connection.
- Ensure that the website you’re shopping from is secure.
- At the start of the URL, make sure it says “https”. This means the site is encrypted for security.
- Look for other signs that signal the level of security: a lock icon (padlock), which appears in the browser address window, should be closed rather than open. A green lock icon means that the website has implemented the extended validation security feature.
- Don't provide payment information through email. If a merchant requires you to do so, find another merchant that transacts using encrypted technologies.
- Print and save records of all purchase-related transactions made online.
- Don’t stay permanently signed in to a merchant's website. When you've finished shopping, log out.